David Earl O'Maley, a long-time resident, parent, and businessman in the Westside's Midland area, was a classic example of an
enterprising youth.
As a youngster, he started mowing lawns for neighbors. This led to his starting his business, Lawn and Garden Care, which he operated with his
family for 33 years until his death Jan. 10 of pancreatic cancer, one day after his 49th birthday.
O'Maley married Christine (Schlabach) Aug. 4, 1979. She survives him, along with their children, Kathleen, 21; Kristen, 19; Earl, 16; and Rodney,
15.
Both daughters are in college.
O'Maley was born Jan. 9, 1955, in Beloit, Kansas, to Merlin and Ruth (Dodson) O'Maley, both pastors. They moved to Colorado Springs in 1958.
His first home was on Hagerman Street - next to the site of the house he would eventually build for his own wife and family.
“He was a jack of all trades,” recalled his sister-in-law, Barbara O'Maley. “He helped anybody who needed help. If you needed a retaining wall, he
was there. If you needed an addition done, he was there… And he made sure his folks were taken care of.”
A passion in recent years was car racing. According to his family, in 1992 O'Maley bought a race car and joined the Colorado Hill Climb
Association, competing in several Hill Climb races. Another favorite racing event was the Gravity Race every February in Cripple Creek, a
downhill “soapbox derby” that he competed in with his sons.
“He would work for days on his old car,” Barbara O'Maley said.
Mrs. O'Maley said that, with the help of her sons and a nephew, she would try to keep the Lawn and Garden Care business going. The business
includes clients in Kissing Camels, the Broadmoor and the North End, as well as the Westside.